Report: Brethren Bible Institute, Kerala, India
Pathanamthitta, Kerala:
BRETHREN BIBLE INSTITUTE
P.O. BOX. 46, PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA
INDIA-689 645
Phone: +91 468 2224045 (Pathanamthitta)
+91 468 2263333, +91 468 2362900 (Pariyaram-Elanthoor)
bbipathanamthitta@gmail.com
www.bbipta.com
REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY – Mr. M.T. George
With all humility of heart I thank the Lord for having enabled to present this short report of the activities of B.B.I. during the past one year. BBI began to function in May 1989 in the Gospel Hall buildings of Pathanamthitta with very limited resources but on the firm faith on the limitless grace of the Almighty God.
Behind the activities of Pathanamthitta Gospel Hall was a group of godly fathers who had given themselves to prayer and witnessing the Lord in the surrounding areas. Of these, names of Mr. K.K. Varghese Mylapra, Abraham Akkarakunnathu, T.K. Samual Elanthoor, Yohannachan of Nannuvakkad, P.T. Abraham, and Chackochan Mekkozhoor are to be mentioned. Many young learned spiritual brothers were on the forefront such as K.V. Koshy, K.A. Philip, C.V. Samuel, A.P. George, Sam T. Sam, A.K. Thomas, etc. to carry out evangelisation in team spirit. Mr. T.K. Samuel was the first president of B.B.I. trust and Mr. T.M. George was the first Secretary cum Treasurer.
Many of the above mentioned leaders are now in the presence of the Lord but their dreams have been realized by the grace of God and the Lord is continuing His work.
B.B.I. Trust consisting of eleven members is the managing authority, who take care of the financial and administrative matters. Mr. K.A. Philip is the President of the Trust, Mr. K.V. Koshy, the Vice-President, Mr. M.T. George, the Secretary cum Treasurer, and Mr. O.T. Cherian, the Joint Secretary cum Treasurer & Administrator. Names of Trust members are furnished separately.
Academic matters are dealt with by the Principal, Vice Principal & Registrar and Academic Dean. Their names are given in the list of Faculty members.
Free Instruction Offered
From the very beginning the institution gives free education in theology and allied subjects. The course is for three years and the successful candidates are offered B.Th. degree. Candidates who are in full fellowship of a Brethren assembly, with plus two or equivalent qualification and having genuine desire for learning the Word of God especially committed for the Lord’s work are preferred for admission.
Accreditation
B.B.I. has the accreditation of A.C.T.S. We take special care to maintain Brethren distinctives. Above all, we value doctrinal purity and the supreme authority of the word of God. All the courses are offered with high academic standard and the graduates of B.B.I. excel in all the areas of Christian ministry.
Higher Education
Now, residential course for higher education also has been arranged, the duration of which is three years. We give instruction for M.B.S, M.Div. and M.Th. An affordable fee is fixed for the higher courses.
Distance Education
To help those who are desirous of getting theologocal education by doing correspondence courses, we offer distance education facilities through which M.B.S, M.Div. and M.Th. can be acquired. One hundred and sixty six believers are currently learning the word of God through B.B.I.’s distance education courses.
Faculty
From the very beginning Dr. O.M. Samuel is directing academic matters as Principal. Along with him Mr. K.V. John is working as Vice Principal and Registrar. He takes particular care in keeping discipline among the students. Dr. K.C. Johnson as Academic Dean undertakes a lot of responsibilities in the functioning of the institution. All the other faculty members also are very active, capable, spiritual and doctrinally sound. Their names are given separately.
BBI Students (2013-14) with Trust Members and Teachers
Sisters Who Have Studied in the Short Term Bible School Held in the Gospel Hall Buildings, Pathanamthitta during the Months, April and May 2013 with Some of the Teachers
Students
At the end of the Academic year 2012-2013, two students completed D.Th. course, six students completed B.Th. course and six students completed their M.Th. course. Except one, all of them have expressed their desire to be in the full-time ministry. They need our prayers and financial support.
Sixteen new students have been admitted for studies during this year (2013-14). The number of students this year is 3 in the post graduate class, 15 in first year B.Th. class, 13 in the second year B.Th. class and 8 in the third year B.Th. class; so total 39 students. Out of these 24 are from outside Kerala. Please remember these students in your valuable prayers so that they would complete their studies to become effective servants of God.
Practical Training
Much importance is given to practical training. Every morning and evening there is students’ gathering where they get practical training in preaching, meditating, translating, etc. Every Sunday they will be sent to neighbouring assemblies where there are opportunities for ministering in the assemblies.
Open air meetings are arranged so that students will have opportunities to witness the Lord in public places. Tract distribution in the sub-urban areas is also organised.
All India Gospel Outreach Ministry
Gospel tours also are arranged to other states for which financial backings are given by well wishers of this institute. During the report year BBI students and teachers had gone to seven different states for the Gospel Outreach Ministry. The team members started their ministry on 19th September 2012 and they returned on 12th October 2012. There were 6 different teams and they worked in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
1. Bro. Febin Johnson and his team members worked in Assam. Evg. Aby Sam, Chabhua (Assam) co-ordinated the work there.
2. Bro. Saji A. John and his team members worked in West Bengal. They also worked among the Bhutanese. Evg. Santhosh Jupaka arranged the work there.
3. Bro. Narsoo Ram Bhagel led the team in Bihar. Evg. Kedar Paswan co-ordinated the work there.
4. Bro. Jacob Thomas and his team members worked in Andhra Pradesh. Evg. P. Venkata Ramana (Kotturu, Srikakulam Dist.) co-ordinated the work in and around the Kotturu area of Srikakulam district and border areas of Odisha.
5. The fifth team worked in Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Bro. Binu Samuel and Bro. Jomon K. Joseph. Evg. P. Yacobu co-ordinated the work in and around Tiruttani. Evg. A. Inbanathan arranged the work in and around Semmedu.
6. The sixth team laboured in Nadukani, Avolichal, Neriamangalam and Idayar (Ernakulam District, Kerala). Dr. O.M. Samuel, Dr. K.C. Johnson, Dr. Joshi Abraham and Bro. Twinkle C. Paul led the team. Bro. K.J. George (Valakom) and Evg. K.J. Shaju (Valakom) co-ordinated the ministry.
God used all teams in a wonderful way. More than 68 people were saved as a result of these ministries done in different states. God helped the team members to guide several people to various assemblies. We are thankful to all the assemblies that helped BBI to organise the outreach ministries in their respective places.
We express our thanks to the Lord for brother Johnson B.T. (Believers Brethren Assembly, Sharjah) who sponsored All India Gospel Outreach Ministry 2012. We are praying for more prayer partners who can sponsor such outreach programmes. This kind of ministry serves mainly two remarkable purposes; one, it saves precious souls for eternity; two, the students get training in this great life-saving mission.
Ready to Go – BBI Outreach Team in Bihar
BBI Students in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu with the Gospel
BBI’s Open-air Preaching in Andhra Pradesh
BBI Team in Neriyamangalam
Advisory Board
An Advisory Board also is constituted in which the experts in different walks of life with practical knowledge are involved whose timely advice and suggestions are obtained. An international involvement is acquired by the board. Names of advisory Board members also are given separately.
Finance
The BBI is a ‘Faith’ ministry. A large group of prayer partners around the world is the strength of the institute. Source of income is the free will offerings from Brethren assemblies and believers.
Some assemblies and individuals help this ministry by ‘sponsoring’ students. Minimum amount required for sponsoring a student is 25,000 (Twenty Five thousand). This is utilised for their tuition, accommodation and food. Some of the prayer partners have instituted ‘Endowment Funds’ in memory of their beloved ones in glory or in their own names to make a long standing financial relationship. Interest of these funds are taken periodically and added to the general funds for meeting day to day expenses. Details of ‘Endowments’ are given separately. A statement showing the Receipts and Expenditure is given separately.
We express our gratitude to Stewards Association in India (Bangalore) and Bethel Evangelical Trust (Angamally) for their yearly fellowship.
Dedication Service of the Principal’s Quarters
Dedication service of the principal’s quarters of the Brethren Bible Institute, Pathanamthitta at Elanthoor-Pariyaram was held on Thursday, the 29th August 2013. We are thankful to all brethren who attended the service. Bro. K.C. Jacob, Bangalore spoke from the word of God during the occasion.
Many believers from Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta and Kumbanad area had come to grace the occasion. Bro. Benny Thomas (Dubai), Bro. K.A. Philip, Bro. O.T. Cherian, Bro. M.T. George, Bro. K.V. John, Bro. K.V. Dinkar, Bro. C.A. George, Bro. P.E. Samkutty, Bro. K.S. John, Bro. V.S. Mathew, Bro. Mathew Thomas, Bro. A.K. Thomas, Bro. Philip Kenneth, Bro. Sunny T. Philip, Bro. Mathew Paul, Bro. C.A. Samuel, Bro. Sam T. Sam, Bro. Jacob Thomas, Dr. K.C. Johnson & Dr. O.M. Samuel did various ministries during the service.
Principal’s quarters was built with the financial support of The Brethren Assembly Dubai. We extend our thanks to the elders, deacons and members of the Assembly for their concern for Dr. O.M. Samuel and the ministries of Brethren Bible Institute
Principal’s Quarters Built with the Financial Support of The Brethren Assembly, Dubai
Library
Our library contains 15,800 books. During the report year 2012-13, 4241 books have been added.
1. The children of late Bro. K.V. George, Pathanapuram donated all the valuable books of their father to B.B.I. Library.
2. With the advice of Bro. Mike Attwood, G.M.I. had taken initiation in sending a container of books from C.R.I. to B.B.I. Library. We have received 1120 boxes of donated printed Christian Books, literature and Christian education materials from C.R.I.
3. Mrs. & Mr. G.J.A. Sither, Malysia had contributed few new valuable commentary series for the Library.
4. Mr. Thomas Abraham, Atlanta had given a major share in establishing a computer Library for B.B.I. students.
5. A N.R.I. who does not want to disclose his name has given Rs. 50,000 for purchasing Word Biblical Commentary Series.
We are grateful to the Lord for all those who helped us in the development of B.B.I. Library.
Unloading the Books from C.R.I. through Gospel Missions of India for B.B.I. Library
Awards and Gifts
By instituting awards and gifts, those who show academic excellence and other meritorious activities are being encouraged. This year the awards and gifts were given to the following students at the time of graduation:
Awards to the Graduates
1. Principal’s Award for the Best PG Student: Dinkar K.V.
2. Bro. R.P. Samuel Award for the Best B.Th. Student: Eben Abraham Samuel
3. Special Award for Excellence: Rajesh Kumar V.
4. Vice-Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence in UG Level
First Rank: 1. Rajesh Kumar V. (86.42%)
2. Eben Abraham Samuel (82.09%)
Second Rank: Rejoice Raju (81.77%)
5. Academic Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in PG Level
First Rank: Dinkar K.V. (85.09%)
Second Rank: Stephen V. (83%)
6. BBI President’s Award Instituted by the Trust for Meritorious Service
1. Thompson George
2. Sushanta Das
3. Lebin D.
4. Savara Sundara Rao
Gifts to the Graduates
1. BBI’s gift
2. BBI Students’ gift
3. Gift from Pariyaram Assembly
4. Gift from Nannuvakkad Assembly
5. Gift from an undisclosed brother through Bro. M.T. Samuel
6. Gift from Bro. B.T. Johnson, BBA, Sharjah
7. Gift from Mrs. Jolly Joy, Nannuvakkad Assembly
8. Gift from Mr. A.K. Thomas & family, Omalloore
Bro. Joy John, Hosur Giving the Keynote Address on the Occasion of BBI Graduation Service, 2013
Guest of Honour Bro. Johnson B.T. (BBA, Sharjah) Addressing the Graduates
BBI Graduates (2013) with Guests, Trust Members and Teachers
Graduates in the Ministry
The 194 graduates of BBI are working for the Lord in different parts of India. Now 54 new assemblies have been established by the BBI graduates. BBI graduates are toiling for the Lord in different parts of India especially Meghalaya, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh & Kerala and also in few foreign countries.
BBI Evangelical Fund
Some of the prayer partners in USA started a special Fund to help our graduates who serve the Lord after graduation, as probably they may not be financially supported by ‘Funds’ for a few years. This was a great encouragement for them. During 2012-13, Dr. Thomas, Mrs. Mini Samuel, Bro. George Abraham and Mr. K.O. George had contributed to this fund. We are very much thankful to these friends. During the report year, Rs. 1,49,512 was received for this purpose. Names and addresses of those who receive this fund are given separately
Office
Bro. C.A. Samuel is in charge of the accounts from the very beginning. He was diagnosed with blood cancer. He has been suffering from several physical illness and one year ago doctors diagnosed that he is affected with blood cancer. Last month, he had his advanced check up and doctors asked him to continue the medicine they prescribed before. Now our dear brother is taking an expensive treatment from Caritas Hospital, Kottayam
Please pray for a speedy recovery. He is a member of Pathanamthitta Brethren Assembly. He is actively involved in the ministries of Gospel Hall, Pathanamthitta and Brethren Sunday School ministry.
From its very beginning the institution imparts free spiritual education bearing all expenses of students including boarding expenses. Liberal gifts from prayer partners from all quarters make it possible. The ever increasing prices of food articles do pose a challenge. However, the management takes every step to keep down the expenses to the minimum level not curtailing the quality of the food supplied.
On behalf of the Trust members, Faculty, Students and Office staff may I take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all prayer partners. Soliciting continued prayers and support.
M.T. George
Secretary cum Treasurer
